In This Edition
Pace Setter : May 2023
Rain and No Shine but Happy Runners at the Bill Robinson Memorial Race
by Chris Bishop, Meg Versteegen, Denis Hurley, Rocky Diamond, Linda DeDominicis, David Stadtlander and Jessica Northan
The 43rd Bill Robinson Memorial Race was held on Saturday, April 29. The weather forecast was enough to make you think of building an ark. Many did not show up who registered but those who did, the brave warriors, were amazed by a light rain that disappeared around fifteen minutes into the race. Threatening clouds remained but no rain.
For 42 of its years, the race was restricted to Masters Runners, those 40 and over, but this year it was opened up to all ages. The course is known for its beauty and impressive hills that you will read runners comment on.
History was also made by a woman being the first overall winner of the Bill Robinson Memorial event. Meg Versteegan, who recently came back from the Tokyo Olympic Marathon where she won the Six Star Medal of the Abbott World Marathon Major and a place in the Guinness World Book of Records for doing so, was obviously in great shape.
Bill Robinson, 1946-2021
The Bill Robinson Memorial Race is in honor of a famed HMRRC runner. He was an elite runner holding titles and records, a member of the HMRRC Hall of Fame, a race director and a frequent contributor to the Pace Setter. At the height of his career, he was struck in the back by an elderly driver and was paralyzed. He still remained active in the club and was known for his bravery.
Comments from Runners
Meg Versteegen
As the forecast for the Bill Robinson 10k became clear (or rather not so clear!), I was reminded of Sifan Hassan's thoughts in the lead up to her incredible marathon debut in London - "why did I decide to do this?" Ha! While I wasn't looking forward to being wet and cold, I was still game to give it a go. As always, thanks to the race organizers and awesome volunteers, it was a smooth operation. Out and back courses can be rough, but this was really great as people were cheering each other on as we passed in opposite directions. The country road-type setting is one of my favorites, and this course comes complete with rolling hills to add to the challenge. The rain largely held off while we were running which was nice but seeing that finish line is always the best part! I had the honor of breaking the tape this time. Afterwards as we warmed up in the school foyer, I was reminded yet again of how terrific our local running community is. Thanks to all for a fun morning!
Denis Hurley
The 2023 Masters Run took place on a perfect spring morning, April 29, 2023. My wife, Anne, and I have run this race for many years. It’s always a nice event but this one was particularly good. I tend to run better in the cooler temperatures (think Stockade-athon) and the start of this Masters Run was chilly, about 48 degrees at run time, and raining. About a mile into the race, I was warm and feeling great. For those who haven’t run this 10K, it is a great course with beautiful scenery. We start and finish at Guilderland High School. The course consists of rolling hills on country roads. About half-way through the race, the rain started to dissipate. The grass was glistening, the flowers and trees were coming to life, and mist shrouded the mountains in the distance. A perfect spring morning! After the race, we were welcomed by Maureen Cox with some warm food, including some delicious soup. It was great, as always, to see our running friends, and meet some new people. Thank you to race director John Parisella, and all the volunteers, for making it happen. Happy Running!
Rocky Diamond
Today I had a nice adventure running my first 10K, the Bill Robinson 10K. Honestly if Bill Robinson was around to tell me about the hill on the 4th mile, I might not have showed up. But I am happy I did and was proud that my time was better than my anticipated goal. Even with my doubts, 50 degrees, and unknown certainty of the amount of rain, it was good to see all the people out there putting their best feet forward. I recently started running and,this was my 3rd race so far this year. As I approach 40 years old at the end of the year, it is exciting and comforting to know that with the right mindset, age does not matter. I thank the HMRCC for letting me join their group and be part of the beginning of a long and fun running career. I will now go ring out my soaked socks and enjoy a nice hot meal in celebration of my efforts. Keep on truckin runners!
Linda DeDominicis
It has been said that the Bill Robinson Masters 10k course is the best 10k course in our area. I’m not sure all runners who have run this course agree with that or not, but what I do know is this course is challenging, yet beautiful and scenic with some gorgeous views and rolling hills that keep coming at you throughout the entire course, no sooner have you conquered one hill, there’s another one to challenge any runner. It was a great morning and race despite the weather.
Dave Stadtlander
My first Bill Robinson 10k was a success. The rain stopped just as we started, and the small but mighty field had a great time on the rolling roads of Guilderland.
Jessica Northan
After a winter of Nordic skiing, I knew I had strength and endurance to run the hills well. I also knew I didn’t have quick turnover or speed so was unsure what kind of pace to expect. In general I was very pleased with the day. I’ll take cool rain at 46° over anything above 65°! My overall pace was quicker than many of my recent training intervals, so I was pleasantly surprised. Let’s hope I feel as positive tomorrow, lol.
41st Bill Robinson Race
10 KILOMETER ROAD RACE
USATF Certified
Guilderland, New York April 29, 2023 9:00 A.M. Weather: Rain, 50 deg
Place Name Age S City St Time Pace
===== =================== === = =============== == ======= =====
1 Meg Versteegen 44 F Schenectady NY 40:30 6:31
2 Ryan McCann 48 M Albany NY 40:58 6:36
3 Dennis VanVlack 50 M Duanesburg NY 41:21 6:40
4 David Stadtlander 48 M Albany NY 41:55 6:45
5 Brian Northan 48 M Guilderland NY 42:22 6:49
6 Gil Chorbajian 53 M Schenectady NY 42:48 6:54
7 Neil Sergott 51 M Clifton Park NY 44:08 7:07
8 Samuel Mercado 60 M Saratoga Spring NY 44:23 7:09
9 Russ Hoyer 62 M Voorheesville NY 47:17 7:37
10 David Roy 68 M Schoharie NY 48:02 7:44
11 Sue Demos 56 F Queensbury NY 48:41 7:51
12 Mark Nunez 66 M Ballston Lake NY 49:22 7:57
13 Christine Varley 59 F Albany NY 49:25 7:58
14 Jason Pensabene 46 M Latham NY 49:51 8:02
15 Nick Demos 58 M Queensbury NY 50:49 8:11
16 Rebecca Chapman 41 F Altamont NY 50:56 8:12
17 Nicola Macneil 49 F Rotterdam Junct NY 51:27 8:17
18 Jessica Northan 47 F Guilderland NY 51:28 8:17
19 C J Chartrand 62 M Castleton On Hu NY 51:36 8:19
20 Paul Bennett 71 M Latham NY 51:50 8:21
21 Tom McGuire 71 M Slingerlands NY 52:25 8:26
22 Kacey Sornberger 47 F Albany NY 52:53 8:31
23 Walter Armstrong 45 M Sloansville NY 53:45 8:39
24 Bob Mead 73 M East Greenbush NY 55:14 8:54
25 Erika Oesterle 71 F Stamford NY 55:35 8:57
26 Matt Robinson 42 M Albany NY 55:37 8:57
27 Christopher Kunkel 66 M Oradell NJ 55:39 8:58
28 Mark Macutek 59 M Loudonville NY 56:54 9:10
29 Anne Hurley 60 F Delmar NY 59:22 9:34
30 Kevin Corrigan 60 M Palenville NY 59:31 9:35
31 Linda DeDominicis 54 F Menands NY 59:40 9:37
32 Carolyn Bur George 69 F Albany NY 1:00:12 9:42
33 Martha DeGrazia 72 F Slingerlands NY 1:00:34 9:45
34 Denis Hurley 60 M Delmar NY 1:00:50 9:48
35 steven silverberg 64 M Schenectady NY 1:00:53 9:48
36 Morris Auster 52 M Niskayuna NY 1:01:22 9:53
37 Susan Wong 75 F Glenmont NY 1:02:01 9:59
38 John Mesevage 69 M Ghent NY 1:04:25 10:22
39 John Brunner 56 M Colonie NY 1:05:47 10:36
40 Heidi Collins 55 F Hudson Falls NY 1:09:07 11:08
41 Leo J. DiPierro 72 M Cherry Plain NY 1:11:48 11:34
42 Jenny Lee 63 F Selkirk NY 1:14:37 12:01
43 Ned Norton 64 M Albany NY 1:20:34 12:58
44 David Durkin 73 M Rensselaer NY 1:21:41 13:09
45 Raymond Lee, Jr 81 M Halfmoon NY 1:33:38 15:04
Male Record 31:54 by Pete Vangardern in 1983
Female Record 37:32 by Lori Kingsley in 2013
********** A W A R D S ***********
********** FEMALE OVERALL RESULTS ***********
1 Meg Versteegen 44 Schenectady NY 40:30
Record 37:32 by Lori Kingsley in 2013
********** MALE OVERALL RESULTS ***********
1 Ryan McCann 48 Albany NY 40:58
Record 31:54 by Pete Vangarderen in 1983
********** MASTERS AGE-GROUP RESULTS **********
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 40 - 44
1 16 Rebecca Chapman 41 Altamont NY 50:56
MALE AGE GROUP: 40 - 44
1 26 Matt Robinson 42 Albany NY 55:37
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 45 - 49
1 17 Nicola Macneil 49 Rotterdam Junction NY 51:27
2 18 Jessica Northan 47 Guilderland NY 51:28
3 22 Kacey Sornberger 47 Albany NY 52:53
MALE AGE GROUP: 45 - 49
1 4 David Stadtlander 48 Albany NY 41:55
2 5 Brian Northan 48 Guilderland NY 42:22
3 14 Jason Pensabene 46 Latham NY 49:51
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 50 - 54
1 31 Linda DeDominicis 54 Menands NY 59:40
MALE AGE GROUP: 50 - 54
1 3 Dennis VanVlack 50 Duanesburg NY 41:21
2 6 Gil Chorbajian 53 Schenectady NY 42:48
3 7 Neil Sergott 51 Clifton Park NY 44:08
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 55 - 59
1 11 Sue Demos 56 Queensbury NY 48:41
2 13 Christine Varley 59 Albany NY 49:25
3 40 Heidi Collins 55 Hudson Falls NY 1:09:07
MALE AGE GROUP: 55 - 59
1 15 Nick Demos 58 Queensbury NY 50:49
2 28 Mark Macutek 59 Loudonville NY 56:54
3 39 John Brunner 56 Colonie NY 1:05:47
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 60 - 64
1 29 Anne Hurley 60 Delmar NY 59:22
2 42 Jenny Lee 63 Selkirk NY 1:14:37
MALE AGE GROUP: 60 - 64
1 8 Samuel Mercado 60 Saratoga Springs NY 44:23
2 9 Russ Hoyer 62 Voorheesville NY 47:17
3 19 C J Chartrand 62 Castleton On Hudso NY 51:36
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 65 - 69
1 32 Carolyn Bur George 69 Albany NY 1:00:12
MALE AGE GROUP: 65 - 69
1 10 David Roy 68 Schoharie NY 48:02
2 12 Mark Nunez 66 Ballston Lake NY 49:22
3 27 Christopher Kunkel 66 Oradell NJ 55:39
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 70 - 74
1 25 Erika Oesterle 71 Stamford NY 55:35
2 33 Martha DeGrazia 72 Slingerlands NY 1:00:34
MALE AGE GROUP: 70 - 74
1 20 Paul Bennett 71 Latham NY 51:50
2 21 Tom McGuire 71 Slingerlands NY 52:25
3 24 Bob Mead 73 East Greenbush NY 55:14
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 75 - 79
1 37 Susan Wong 75 Glenmont NY 1:02:01
MALE AGE GROUP: 75 - 79
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 80 - 99
MALE AGE GROUP: 80 - 99
1 45 Raymond Lee, Jr 81 Halfmoon NY 1:33:38
Volunteers
Nina Azuola
Marey Bailey
Tom Bennett
Karen Bertasso-Hughes
Christine Bishop
Lauren Carnahan
Maureen Cox
Karen Dott
Ralph Feinstein
Jim Giglio
Ed Gillen
Dave Glass
Teagan Hallahan
Lauren Hamilton
Jacqueline Johnson
Kenneth Klapp
Shawn Lynch
Elaine Morris
Paul Murray
Ed Neiles
Martin Patrick
Ekaterina Sazon
Barbara Sorrell
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